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Page 464
had been half irritated, half laughing, and had closed the discussion with an order that Sir Guy should at least do his best to turn his mistress from such purposes as he thought would be dangerous or dishonest.
So far, there had been no occasion to test his ability to obey that order. Lady Alinor had been little at Roselynde and, when she was, had given him no more than a passing glance and a smile. Now, however, listening to her laughter, Sir Guy realized that the time had come. Reluctantly, he got himself into motion again and presented himself to Alinor.
"Sit down," she said, waving him toward a chair. "I need advice on matters of war."
"My lady," he protested, "I am not fit to give such advice. Wait until Lord Ian returns home. He can far better"
"If you do not give me what advice you can, Lord Ian will not come home at all," Alinor snapped. "He is held prisoner at Clyro Hillfor what reason I am not sure. We must go and crack that nut so I can have my meat out of it."
"We?" Guy gasped, so startled by the notion of a woman on a military expedition that he overlooked the crudity of the way Alinor referred to her husband. "Not you, my lady. Give me a letter to your vassals, and I will summon them for you, and"
"Do not be a fool! Who is there to lead the vassals if Ian is inside Clyro Keep? Would they obey you? Sir John is scarce old enough to grow a beard, let alone direct a war. The othersone will say one thing, one another, and nothing will be accomplished. I know what to do, but there are things I do not know. Have you experience in taking keeps?"
"Experience? I know what any knight knows, but I am no great war lord, my lady. I am used to going where I am told and carrying out my orders."
"Well, I wish to hear whatever you know, no matter how little." Alinor then described most vividly the situa-

 
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